The current epidemic is amplified by the situation in the countries it’s rampaging in, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are nations whose populace are desperately poor by western standards, the governments spend next to nothing per capita on health care, and years of partisan warfare has left the citizens weary of allowing government workers to help them. It certainly hasn’t helped stop the spread of the virus, but one has to wonder what would happen if it were to make its way to the US.
A great show is being made of the careful containment measures for the Americans involved. If more and more cases occur that involve Westerners, will similar measures be available? I read years ago that the mortality rate from Ebola was 90 percent. Now, it’s purportedly down to 60 or 70 percent. What has changed? A careful PR campaign is now under way..One thing changed is that Ebola epidemics seem no longer in isolated villages, spread by under-funded clinics using dirty needles. People now travel to towns and cities with transportation to the outside world. Extreme suspicion of aid workers, whether through honest ignorance or political connivance is also increasing..Also different is the concept of suicide missions. Is it inconceivable that a few fanatics would offer themselves as mobile infection agents? .The present Ebola situation is a chance to show both the best and the worst human intentions.
No, it’s not airborne…yet. However viruses have this little habit of mutating, and there IS in fact, an airborne form of Ebola. Only affects monkeys, but it’s so close to one of the human strains, the test for one will reveal the presence of the other
Keep in mind reports that families are removing sick people from what hospitals there are; and that people believe that health workers brought in the disease and are spreading it. Not the best environment for research.
Two cases brought here for treatment, is hardly a pandemic. Thankfully this is NOT an airborne virus, that would be another matter of concern. Which, MERSA is FAR more deadly in America, and “childhood” diseases are also making a deadly comeback as parents fear vaccines. Ignorance and fear are the real killers.
Jason Allen over 9 years ago
The current epidemic is amplified by the situation in the countries it’s rampaging in, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are nations whose populace are desperately poor by western standards, the governments spend next to nothing per capita on health care, and years of partisan warfare has left the citizens weary of allowing government workers to help them. It certainly hasn’t helped stop the spread of the virus, but one has to wonder what would happen if it were to make its way to the US.
emptc12 over 9 years ago
A great show is being made of the careful containment measures for the Americans involved. If more and more cases occur that involve Westerners, will similar measures be available? I read years ago that the mortality rate from Ebola was 90 percent. Now, it’s purportedly down to 60 or 70 percent. What has changed? A careful PR campaign is now under way..One thing changed is that Ebola epidemics seem no longer in isolated villages, spread by under-funded clinics using dirty needles. People now travel to towns and cities with transportation to the outside world. Extreme suspicion of aid workers, whether through honest ignorance or political connivance is also increasing..Also different is the concept of suicide missions. Is it inconceivable that a few fanatics would offer themselves as mobile infection agents? .The present Ebola situation is a chance to show both the best and the worst human intentions.
Theodore E. Lind Premium Member over 9 years ago
One can only hope the new vaccines they are developing are well funded and actually work.
Simon_Jester over 9 years ago
No, it’s not airborne…yet. However viruses have this little habit of mutating, and there IS in fact, an airborne form of Ebola. Only affects monkeys, but it’s so close to one of the human strains, the test for one will reveal the presence of the other
Spyderred over 9 years ago
Keep in mind reports that families are removing sick people from what hospitals there are; and that people believe that health workers brought in the disease and are spreading it. Not the best environment for research.
Dtroutma over 9 years ago
Two cases brought here for treatment, is hardly a pandemic. Thankfully this is NOT an airborne virus, that would be another matter of concern. Which, MERSA is FAR more deadly in America, and “childhood” diseases are also making a deadly comeback as parents fear vaccines. Ignorance and fear are the real killers.